Railway car construction



May 5,1930.

G. G. GlLPlN RAILWAY CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 17, "1934' 2Shets-Sheet 2 j'nqenfof:

" they are girders carrying the Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES} PATERAILWAY CAR CONSTRUCTION Garth e. Gilpin, Riverside, m, assign or toUnion Metal Products Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of' DelawareApplication September 17, 1934, Serial No. 744,429 11 Claims. (Cl.105-409) The invention relates to railway cars and more particularly toside walls of open top railway cars. These side walls perform twofunctions. First, they are the load retaining means, and secondly, majorportion of the weight of the lading to the body bolsters from whence itis transferred to the trucks. In certain types of other railway cars myconstruction may also be used.

An object of the invention is to provide a very light and strong carwall which can be quickly and economically made, installed and repaired.

Such walls must bevery light, as it is expensive to transport deadweight in a car and such walls must be very strong'as girders to carrythe load referred to above and must be avery strong as vertical beams tocarry the horizontal thrust of the lading, which is very great onaccount of the impact thereof due to the movements of the car whenrunning. The parts of the wall must be capable of easy assemblagebecause replacements frequently are necessary on account of wearing outof the parts, corrosion and wrecks.

Another object of the invention is to provide 0 the sidewall of an opentop railway car with outwardly projecting panels between the verticalstrut-ties to increase the cubical capacity of the car and a furtherobject is to. provide some of the metallic wall sheets forming theretaining wall of the car with an integral flange forming a strut-tie soas toincrease the horizontal widths of the outwardly projecting panelslongitudinally of the car whereby the cubical c pacity of the car isfurther increased. 7 x

- A further object of the invention is to provide an integral strut-tieof such depth as, to project beyond the outwardly projecting panels inthe wall sheets so as to protect the side walls from being scraped byobjects along the right-of-way, protect the lettering and other paintingfrom being scraped or damaged and also to protect the side wall of thecar when it is tipped upside down in an unloading machine.

Another object of the invention is to provider means to prevent thestrut-tie from deflecting laterallyun der stress; as such deflectionwould weaken the member both as a strut and as a tie,

Y such means being preferably within the bounding planes of theoutwardly projecting panels, so that such panels may be extended to themaximum permissible width of the car whereby the greatest cubicalcapacity of the car is obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a car wall so that thecomponent parts thereof may be secured together by bolting, riveting orwelding.

Another object is to provide a car wall wherein the component partscanbe made of pressed steel plates between reciprocating dies. 5

Another object is to provide a car wall to ob-' taln'the maximum cubicalcapacity of the car commensurate with the strength requirements.

Another object is to provide a car which will dump the entire ladingwhen turned upside down 10 in an unloading machine.

Another object is to secure the ends of the strut beams (or one of them)to the frame members of the car so as to form restrained beams.

Another object is to form the integral flange 15 with a reflange so asto materially increase the strength thereof and also so this reflangemay be secured to one or both of the frame members.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1- shows a partial side elevation of an open 20 top railway carprovided with a 1 side wall in "accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.-

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on line 3-.3 of Fig. 1.,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the exterior of the sidewall of a car in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4 but shows an interior view of the car.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing one means of preventing the strutbeam from buckling under stress. t

' Figs. 7 and 8 show other means of preventing the strut beam frombuckling understress.

Fig. 9 shows a modified construction of my inventionwherein the adjacentwall plates are welded together.

Inthe form of my invention illustrated the wallof the car comprisesspaced apart upper (2) and lower (3) chords or other framemembers and aplurality of wall plates 4 extending therebetween and forming the loadretaining means of together, whereas Fig.

- under stress intervals along so preferably secured to one or bothframe members 2-3. v

Each-of the wall plates is formed, with an outwardly projecting panelIt) so as to increase the cubical capacity of the car. The panel of theflanged plate l2 (Fig. 3) merges into the plate ll adjacent the base ofthe flange 6 and the panel of the adjacent plate l6 merges into theplate I I, which plate I1 is secured to the flanged plate I2 adjacentthe base of the flange 6. In other words, the panels'merge into the bodyportion of the plates as close to each other as strength requirementspermit so that the horizontal widths of the panels longitudinally of thecar are increased (over the paneled side wall having separate strutbeams) whereby the lading' compartment of the car is further in creasedin cubical capacity. .Figs. 3 and 6 show the flanged and the u'nflangedplate overlapped and the rivets l9 secure the overlapped portions 9shows the flanged and unflanged plate designed fora welded connectionwherein the sloping walls 28 and 22 of the adjacent pane ls 24-26 areeven closertogether than in the riveted construction. Numeral 28.designates the flange and 30 the reflange.

The sloping parts ll-l8 of the wallplates l2-l8 respectively cooperatewith the flange 8 to form a strong column and a strong beam '(orstrut-beam) between the upper and lower frame members. The reflange 8preferably projects towards the flanged wall-plate so that the reflan ge8, flange 6 and overlapping portion l8- (of the flanged wall plate) forma channel section, which is" a very strong section.

In the preferred construction the integral flange 6 or strut beamgreater in horizontal depth than the depth of the panels so thattheflange 6 (or the reflange 8) projects beyond the outer plane 48 ofthe panels, thus protecting the panels in the wall sheets. See Fig. 3.

A single beam member, suchas the flange illustrated, deflects laterallyunder stress, thereby weakening the member as a beam and also as astrut; therefore, I preferably provide means to prevent the strut beamfrom deflecting laterally such as the triangular shaped inwhich may bepositioned at spaced the flange 8 preferably between the rivets I8.These indentations, or stiffeningmeanscxtendintoapartoftheflangeandapartof the .body of the plate.

Figs. 6, 'I and 8 show other forms of'stiffening' dentation 42 means forthe flange wherein Fig. 6 shows a strap 84 overlapping the reflange 8and secured thereto, which strap is secured to both of the adjacentpanels of the wall sheets. Fig. 7 shows a form wherein the short strapsl6 and 88 are secured to the reflange 8 and the adjacent panels but arepositioned between thesloping webs. 50-52 of the adjacent panels; 1. e.,within the" bounding plane of the outwardly projecting panels; Thesestraps 88-48 may be welded as shown on the drawings or riveted. Fig. 8shows an arrangement wherein a preferably flat plate 56 is welded totheflange 6 and the reflange also preferably to the body of theplate at51. I Fig. 9 shows a modification wherein the flanged plate and,unflanged plate are welded together.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred form of theinvention, though it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited o. the exact details of construction shown and described, as itis obvious that various modiflcafening means for. the flange.

tions thereof, within the scope of the claims, occur to persons skilledin the art. I claim; LIn an open top apart horizontal frame members, thecombination of a pair of wall plates extending between will railway carhaving spaced A and secured to said frame members to form a loadretaining means therebetween, a portion of one of said platesoverlapping a portion of the other plate, means securing saidoverlapping portions together, one of said wall plates having closelyadjacent the overlapping portions of said plates, each of said wallplates formed with an outwardly projecting panel to increase the cubicalcapacity of the car, the panel of theflanged 1 wall plate merging intothe plate adjacent the an integral flange at a vertical margin thereoftion of a pair of wall plates extending between i I z and secured .tosaidframe members to form-a load retaining means therebetween, a'portionof one of said plates overlappi ng a portion of the other plate, meanssecuring said overlapping portions together, one of said wall plateshaving an integral flange at a vertical margin thereof closely adjacentthe overlapping portions ofsaid. plates, each,of said wall plates formedwith an outwardly projecting panerto increase the cubical capacity ofthe car, the panel of the flanged wall plate merging into the-plateadjacent" the edge of the other wall plate and the panel of the otherwall 'plate merging into said other ,plate adjacent the 'base of theflange whereby the horizontal widths of the panels longitudinally of thecar are increased and the cubical capacity of the car is increased andwhereby parts of the adjacent panels and the flange cooperate to form astrut-beam between the frame members, a part of the flange and the partof the flanged plate which 'overlaps the otherplate being formed withspaced apart iiidentationsto provide stif- 1 3. In an open top railwayvcar having spaced apart horizontalframe members, the combination of apair of wall plates extending between overlapping portions together, oneof saidwall Y.

plates having an integral flange at a vertical margin thereof closelyadjacent the overlapping portions of said plates, each of said wallplates formed with an outwardly projecting panel to increase the cubicalcapacity of the car, the panel of the flanged wall plate merging intothe plate adjacent the edge of the other wall plate and the panel of theother wall plate merging into said other plate adjacent the base of theflange whereby the horizontal widths of the pan- 'els longitudinally ofthe car are increased and the cubical capacity of the car is increasedand whereby parts of the adjacent panels and the flange cooperate toform a strut beam" between the frame members, a part of the flang'e and"the part of the flanged plate which tion of a pair of anintegral flangeat a vertical'margin thereof closely adjacent said plates, said flangeprovided with a reflange projecting toward the flanged plate, each ofsaid wall plates formed with an outwardly projecting panel to increasethe cubical capacityof the ing an integral flange at a car, the panel ofthe flanged wall plate merging into the plate adjacent the edge of theother wall plate and the panel of the other wall plate merging into saidother plate adjacent the base of the flange whereby the horizontalwidthsof the panels longitudinally of the car are increased and thecubical capacity of the car and whereby the flange, the reflange and theoverlapping portion of the flanged wall plate form a channel shapedstrut-beam between the frame members which is protected from the ladingby the overlapping portion of said other plate.

5. In an open top railway car having spaced apart horizontal framemembers, the combination of a pair of wall plates extending between andsecured to said frame members to form a one of said plates overlapping aportion of the other plate, means securing said overlapping portionstogether, one of said wall plates havvertical margin thereof closelyadjacent the overlapping portions'of said plates, said flange providedwith a reflange projecting toward theflanged plate, each of. said wallplates formed with an panel to increase the cubical capacity of the car,the panel of the flanged wall plate merging into the plate adjacent theedge of the other wall plate and the panel of the other wall platemerging into said other plate adjacent the base of panels longitudinallyof sitioned beyond the pla e of the panels to protect said panels.

I ing an integral flange at a vertical margin there-- 6. In an open toprailway car having spaced apart horizontal frame members, thecombinaportions together, .one of said wall plates havof closelyadjacent the overlapping portions of overlaps the said reflange being pframe members, the combina- 1 one of said plates overlapping a portionofv the other plate, means securing said overlapping portions together,one of said wall plates having the overlapping portions of is increased.load retaining means therebetween', a portion of -the flange wherebythe horizontal widths of the the car are increased formed crease thecubical capacity of the car, the panel the base of the flange wherebythe horizontal widths of the panels longitudinally of the car areincreased and the cubical capacity ofthe car is increased and wherebyparts of the adjacent panels arid the flange cooperate to form astrut-beam between the frame members, said reflange being secureddirectly to said frame members.

7. In an open top railway car having spaced apart horizontal framemembers, the combination of a pair of wall plates extending between andretaining means therebetween, a portion of one of said platesoverlapping a portion of the other plate, means securing saidoverlapping portions together, one of said wall plates having anintegral flange at a vertical margin thereof closely adjacent theoverlapping portions of said plates, said flange provided with areflange projecting toward the flanged plate, each of said wall plateswith an outwardly projecting panel to inof the flanged wall platemerging into the plate adjacent the edge of the other wall plate and thepanel of the other wall plate merging into said other plate adjacent thebase of the flange whereby the horizontal widths of the panelslongitudsecured to said frame members to form a load inally of the carare increased and the cubical capacity of the car is increased andwhereby the flange, the reflange and the overlapping portion of theflanged wall plate form a channel shaped strut-beam between the framemembers which is protected from the lading by the overlapping portion ofsaid other plate, and means to prevent said flange from deflectinglaterally under stress comprising an element secured to said flange,said reflange and the portion of the flanged plate which overlaps theother of said plates. I 8. In an open'top apart horizontal framemembers, the combination of a pair of wall plates extending between andsecured to said frame members to form a load retaining meanstherebetween, a portion of one of said plates overlapping a portion ofthe other plate, means securing said overlapping portions together, oneof said wall plates having an integral flange at a vertical marginthereof closely adjacent the overlapping portions of said plates, eachof said wall plates formed with an outwardly projecting panel toincrease the cubical capacity of the car, thepanel of the flanged wallplate merging into the plate adjacent the edge of the other wall plateand the panel of the other wall plate merging into base of the flangewhereby the horizontal widths of the panels longitudinally of the carare increased and the cubic: L1 capacity of the car is increased andwhereby parts of the, adjacent panels and the flange cooperate to form astrut-beam between the frame members, and means to prevent railway carhaving spaced said other plate adjacent the load retaining meanstherebetween, a portion of one of said plates overlapping a other plate,means securing tions together one oi. said integral flange at a verticalsaidoverlapping porwall plates having an margin thereof close- 1yadjacent the overlapping portions of said plates, each of said wallplates formed with an outwardly projecting panel to increase the cubi-75 portion of the w cal capacity of the car, the panel of the flangedwall plate merging into the plate adjacent the edge of the other wallplate and the panel of the other wall plate merging into said otherplate adjacent the base of the flange whereby the horizontal widths ofthe panels longitudinally of the car are increased and the cubicalcapacity of the car is increased and whereby parts of the adjacentpanels and the flange cooperate to form a strut-beam between the framemembers, and

means toprevent said flange from deflecting laterally under stresscomprising members secured to said flange and to said panels, saidmembers being positioned within the bounding plane of the outwardlyprojecting panels so as not to increase the width of the car.

10. In an open top railway car-having-spaced apart horizontal framemembers, the combination of a pair of wall plates extending between andsecured to said frame members to form a load retaining meanstherebetween, a portion of onelof said plates overlapping a portion ofthe other plate, means securing said overlapping portions together, oneof said wall plates having an integral flange at a vertical marginthereof closely adjacent the overlapping portions of the plates, saidflangebeing secured to said frame members in the plane of saidvertically extending flange, each of said wall plates formed ,with anoutwardly projecting panel to increase the cubical capacity of the car,the panel of the flanged wall plate merging into the plate adjacent theedge of the other wall plate and the panel oil-the other wall platemerging into said other plate adjacent the base of the flange wherebythe hori- ,means therebetween, one of said wall plates hav-' a ing anintegral flange at a vertical margin thereof, each of said wall platesformed with an outwardly projecting panel to increase the cubicalcapacity of the car, the panel of the flanged wall plate merging into ofthe flange and the panel of the other wall plate terminating in asloping wall weldedto said flanged plate 'adiacent the base of theflange whereby the horizontal widths of the panels longitudinally of thecar are increased and the cubical capacity of the car is increased andwhereby.

of the adjacent panels and the flange coparts operate to form astrut-beam between the frame members.

V GARTH G. GILPIN.

the plate adjacent the base.

